In this episode of Decoding Cultural Leadership, we meet Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan, who talks about cultural change and transformation at one of Australia’s flagship performing arts companies. Fiona reflects on her 18-year career in the UK, where she led one of the most important cultural centres, the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Fiona gives her perspective on the changing role of the arts in Australia. She discusses where cultural leaders could contribute outside the cultural sphere to areas like economic and tourism development.

Fiona talks about her journey into arts leadership, how childhood glimpses of the sails of the Sydney Opera House inspired her arts leadership ambitions, her early days as a clarinettist, and how bringing a producer’s mindset to her leadership practice has been a core component in her career.

Links:

https://opera.org.au/

Birmingham Hippodrome

https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/

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Presenter and research: Sam Cairnduff

Creative Director: Niloofar Pashmforoosh

Presented in association with Limelight

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